I own a Sony Hi-Fi system model DHC AZ5D which I bought in year 2008. Recently, the system started giving problems as it kept on going on ‘Power Standby Mode’ after about 10 seconds of switching on the same. I took it to the authorized service center – Club Electronics at South Extension past Saturday (12th Nov’11) to get the same repaired. My request number/ job code was 6106466.I was dealt very poorly by their staff right from the start as I was made to wait for over 45 minutes before their representative appeared to make a basic job sheet. That done, I was never informed of the estimate at that point in time and was told that they would contact me over the phone to inform me of the same. I received a call from their representative on Sunday who wasn’t sure of the exact estimate and said that he would get back in touch on Tuesday (Monday being an off) for the exact repair estimate. Today (Tuesday, 15th Nov’11), I got an SMS from their side suggesting that the set cannot be repaired as the estimate hasn’t been approved. Upon receiving the message, I immediately called them seeking a clarification upon when was the estimate declined and who declined it. They had absolutely no answer and said that they would repair it in case I approved the total charge of Rs. 7497/-. I approved of the same and told them to repair the equipment and tell me the date when I can collect it. To that, they asked me to first come and deposit an advance 50% payment (~ Rs. 3750/-) before they would start to repair it. I wasn’t told of any such charges when I gave the set for repair. I objected to the fact that I would be require to make 3 visits just to get a simple repair done and requested to speak to his Manager. The person simply hung up the phone on me. I called again and the same person picked up the phone. He was very impolite and rudely said that I was wasting his time and that he has other work as well. Upon my consistent request, he handed over the call to the receptionist lady who also asked me to visit and make a 50% payment for the repairs to start. I tried my best to make her understand that it costs me over Rs. 1,500/- to make a single visit to the service center as am based out of Greater Noida and that I would make the complete payment once I come to collect the repaired set. I also reiterated the fact that no such condition was told to me while taking custody of the set and that I should have been informed of the same at the time of giving it for repair. She cared the least and started giving me options of couriering a cheque in their favor and other such options.Is this the way a customer is supposed to be treated by SONY? Your service center had questions around my ability to pay for the repair which is shameful for a brand like SONY. Is that how you strategize on building your brand perception; by questioning your customer’s financial means and capability? I have SONY products at home worth well over 3 lacs which includes another lifestyle home theatre system, 1 LCD and 1 LED panel, three Sony Ericsson mobiles and 3 Sony XploD car entertainment systems. And this is how you treat such a customer; by questioning his financial ability to pay a paltry sum of Rs. 7497/-?I spoke with a lady at the Toll Free number (1800 103 7799) today and have narrated the entire story to her as well. The Request Number for the same is 8772059. Pratima was extremely patient in listening to my complaint and promised me a speedy action. Only if the people at the service center would have been like her, it would have saved me the botheration of writing such a long mail like this.Honestly, I am extremely dissatisfied with the way I was treated and expect that prompt and serious corrective action is taken upon this complaint.